Light fixture with removable lens

ABSTRACT

A surface mounted light fixture particularly suitable for use with recreational vehicles and watercraft wherein the fixture includes an extruded body member having end caps affixed to the body member ends. The body member is of a concave configuration receiving electrical lamps, and the lateral edge regions of the body member include lens retaining grooves for retaining a lens or lenses disposed over the body member. The lens is of a rectangular configuration, including transversely disposed base and wall regions, and is so shaped that the lens may be manually deformed for readily assemblying and disassemblying the lens to the body member for lamp replacement or cleaning.

United States Patent [191 Kilbourn et al.

[ Feb. 12, 1974 LIGHT FIXTURE WITH REMOVABLE LENS [75] Inventors: EugeneL. Kilbourn; James T.

Baker, both of Marshall, Mich. [73] Assignee: Progressive Dynamics,Inc.,

Marshall, Mich.

[22] Filed: May 5, 1970 [21] App]. No.: 34,792

[52] US. Cl 240/7.1, 240/57, 240/106.1 a 240/151 [51] Int. Cl B60q 3/02-[58] Field of Search... 240/51.1 1, 57, 106,151, 7.1,- 240/-9,10, 108;161/40, 39,111, 5

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,643,328 6/1953 Elmendorf240/51.11 2,913,575 11/1959 Lipscomb 240/51.11 3,012,132 12/1961Rosenfield 240/9 3,436,537 4/1969 Bostonian 240/9 3,239,661 3/1966 Wincf240/51.1l 3,113,728 12/1963 Boyd 240/9 497,778 5/1893 Estabrook...161/40 1,463,722 7/1923 OBoyle 240/108 Primary Examiner-James J. GillAttorney, Agent, or Firm Beaman and Beaman 5 7 ABSTRACT A surfacemounted lightfixture particularly suitable for use with recreationalvehicles and watercraft wherein the fixture includes an extruded bodymember having end caps affixed to the body member ends. The body memberis of a concave configuration receiving electrical lamps, and thelateral edge regions of the body member include lens retaining groovesfor retaining a lens or lenses disposed over the body member. The lensis of a rectangular configuration, including transversely disposed baseand wall regions, and is so shaped that the lens may be manuallydeformed for readily assemblying and disassemblying the lens to the bodymember for lamp replacement or cleaning.

3 Claims, 10 Drawing Figures PAIENIEUFEWIW v 3.192.250 I SBEET 1 BF 2E1709 ff.

INVENTORS EUGENE L.K|LBOURN JAMES T. BAKER ATTORNEYS 1 LIGHT FIXTUREWITH REMOVABLE LENS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The invention pertainsto the field of lamp fixtures utilizing a manually deformable lenswherein access to the fixture interior is achieved by removal of thelens from the fixture frame or body.

The increasing use of recreational vehices, such as mobile traveltrailers, mobile homes, campers and land cruisers, as well as theincreased use of private watercraft utilizing cabins and interioraccommodations, has created a need for concise, attractive and practicallamp fixtures. Ideally, such fixtures should be of a mini mum size, asto occupy as little of the interior space of the associated interior aspossible, and are preferably surface mounted as to facilitate attachmentto the underside of any horizontal surface, or vertical surface.

Previously, lamps available for recreational vehicles and watercraftwere either of the type similar to those lamps utilized in automobilesas dome lights or interior lights, or the light fixtures available areof a plain, functional appearance, usually detracting, rather thanadding to the decor. Also, presently available light fixtures forrecreational vehicles and watercraft are expensive, relatively limitedin use and location of attachment. Additionally, the replacement ofburned out lamps was often troublesome and usually requires the use of ascrewdriver or other tool.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The purpose of the invention is to provide alight fixture particularly suitable for use in recreational vehicles,watercraft, and the like which is capable of emitting a high intensitylight, incorporates a lens which is readily removable from the. fixturefor cleaning and lamp replacement without tools, and permits anattractive fixture to be marketed for a reasonable cost.

A further object of the invention is to provide a surface mounted lampfixture which may be readily mounted upon walls, ceilings, or theunderside of cabinets, wherein the fixture includes a switch, and thecomplete fixture extends only a small distance, such as 2 inches, fromthe surface upon which it is mounted.

An additional object of the invention is to provide a light fixtureconstruction wherein the concepts of the invention may be practiced inthe manufacture of a fixture having a single bulb, two bulbs, threebulbs or more with only minor modifications being necessary toaccommodate the desired number of lamps incorporated in the fixture.

An important aspect of the invention is in the utilization of a uniquelens formed of a heat resistant sheet plastic material wherein theconfiguration of the lens permits manual deformation thereof to readilysnap the lens into assembled relationship with the fixture body, orremove the lens therefrom for cleaning or bulb replacement purposes.Yet, the sheet material of which the lens is formed is of sufficientrigidity to hold its shape, and maintain firm innerconnection with thelight fixture body frame.

The basic component of a light fixture formed in accord with thepractice of the invention consists of a frame or body member which isextruded of aluminum, or other extrudable material, and in this mannerthe body member may be formed of any desired length. End caps aremounted upon the ends of the body member in order to produce anattractive appearance, and

insert channels are defined on the longitudinal edges of the body memberfor receiving decorative trim panels. The extruded body member is of aconcave configuration for receiving the lamp bulbs and functioning as areflector, and the opposite side thereof includes base or foot elementswhich engage the fixture mounting surface. The fixture switch is mountedin one of the end caps, and the extrusion includes a pair oflongitudinal extending screw receiving recesses whereby the end caps maybe readily mounted to the body member.

The lamp bulbs and the concave configuration of the body member, arebridged by a lens, or plurality of lenses, depending upon the length ofthe body member, which are ofa generally square plan configuration, andare dish-shaped having a base region and four wall regions dependingfrom the base region. Lips are defined on the edges of the wall regions,and the body member includes spaced, parallel opposed grooves forreceiving the lips on opposite sides of a lens whereby the lens isattached to the body member. As the lens are formed ofa semirigid sheetmaterial, and are ofa threedimensional configuration, manual deformationthereof is restricted if the manual forces are applied in a directionsubstantially parallel to the plane of the wall regions. In order topermit assembly of the lens to the body member grooves, the lips arerelieved or notched at those regions in general alignment with planarpor tions of the lens wall regions whereby only those por-' tions of thelips cooperate with the body member grooves which are capable of manualdeformation. In this manner the lenses may be readily assembled to, orremoved from, the body member without tools, and a most attractive andcleanappearance results.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING The aforementioned objects andadvantages, and the construction of an embodiment of a lamp fixture inaccord with the invention will be appreciated from the followingdescription and accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a two lens embodiment of a light fixtureconstructed in accord with the invention,

FIG. 2 is'a side elevational view of the embodiment of FIG. 1, a portionof the lenses being broken away to illustrate the overlappingrelationship,

FIG. 3 is an end elevational view as taken from the right of FIG. 2, 1 p

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 1, the lenses being removed toillustrate the fixture interior, and portions of the switch beingsectioned for purpose of illustration,

FIG. 5 is a back view illustrating the rear of the lamp fixture, 1

FIG. 6 is an elevational sectional view as taken along Section VIVI ofFIG. 4, illustrating thelens in assembled relation to the body member,

FIG. 7 is an enlarged, detail elevational sectional view as taken alongSection VII-VII of FIG. 1,

FIG. 8 is an enlarged, detail view of the mode of assembly of a lens tothe body member, portions of the body member being broken away forpurpose of illustration,

FIG. 9 is a view similar to FIG. 8, showing the lens being manuallydeformed for removal from the fixture body member, and

DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT As previously described, a lightfixture in accord with the invention may be constructed of variablelength, and in the drawing the length of the disclosed light fixture issuch as to accommodate two lenses. The principles of the invention maybe utilized in a single lens em bodiment, or may be utilized in a lampfixture having three, four, or more lenses. The length of the lightfixture will substantially correspond to a multiple of the dimension ofthe lens, as will be later appreciated.

The primary component of a light fixture constructed in accord with theinvention is the frame or body member which is of an extrudedconstruction, and will usually be formed of aluminum, although a plasticor other extrudable material may be utilized. Thecrosssectional'configuration of the body member 10 is best appreciatedfrom FIG. 6 and includes a concave central region 12 having a depression14 in which the lamp socket fixture is located. The body member alsoincludes lateral edges 16, and these lateral edges include anoverlapping portion 18 which defines a lens receiving groove 20 adjacenteach body member edge. The grooves 20 face each other in opposedrelationship as will be apparent in FIG. 6.

The lateral edges of the body member extrusion also include end capsscrew receiving recesses 22, and a decorative trim panel receivingrecess is defined at 24, utilizing overlapping portions 26. An apron 28extends downwardly, FIG. 6, to further enclose the sides of the bodymember. Mounting of the body member 10 upon a support surface isprovided by foot or base members 30 depending from the concave portion12, and mounting screw holes 32 are defined in the depression 14 wherebythe frame member may be mounted to a supporting surface 34, FIG. 6.

Vent holes 36 are preferably formed in the body member between the feet30 and the lateral edge regions l6, and as the aprons 28 do not extendall the way to the supporting surface 34, FIG. 6, venting of theinterior of the lamp around the apron is possible.

In the two lens embodiment illustrated two electric lamp bulbs 38 areutilized, and these lamps are mounted in conventional fixtures 40riveted to the body member depression 14. Plastic trim panels 42 slideinto the body member recesses 24, prior to assemblying of the end capsto the body member, and the decorative panels 42 may simulate a woodgrain, or may be of any desired color.

The ends of the body member 10 are enclosed by end caps 44, preferablyformed of a plastic material, and of a width and height substantiallycorresponding to the width and height of the body member 10 as definedby the lateral edge regions and apron 28. In this manner attachment ofthe end caps 44 to the body member encloses the body member transversecross section to form an attractive appearance as will be appreciated 7from FIGS. 2 and 3. Attachment of the end caps is aceach include aninwardly disposed ledge 48, FIG. 4, disposed over region 12 upon which alens lip rests, as will be later described. The end caps also preferablyinclude a recessed portion 50, FIG. 3, which includes a decorative panelmaterial matching the panels 42.

It is usually desirable that the switch for the lamp be directlyassociated with the lamp, and the electric switch is preferably mountedin one of the end caps. The right end cap 44, FIG. 4, includes a boss 52which pivotally supports the switch actuator 54 on a pivot pin 56.Portions of the switch actuator extend through a slot 58 defined in theend cap whereby the actuator may be manually pivoted. The inner end ofthe actuator engages the switch slide 60 of a switch 62 mounted on boss52, and rocking of the actuator 54 will linearly translate the slide 60between an off position, one lamp on, or both lamps on. Suitableelectrical conductors interconnect the switch to the lamps passingthrough grommets received in holes formed in the central region 12, asshown.

As will be apparent in FIGS. 1, 2, 3 and 6, the fixture includes a pairof lenses 64 which bridge the body member region 12 and through whichthe light of the lamps 38 passes. As apparent in FIG. 1, the disclosedembodiment discloses a pair of identical lenses 64, and these lenses arepreferably formed of a semirigid translucent plastic sheet material suchas polypropylene. It is desired that the lenses have a resistance toheat, due to the proximity to the lamp bulbs, and the gauge of the sheetmaterial is such that the material is manually bendable under manualforces exerted transversely to the plane of the material, but isresistant to manual bending when manual forces are imposed in adirection substantially parallel to the material plane.

Each of the lenses 64 is of a square form as viewed in FIGS. 1, 8 and 9,and is of a dish-shaped configuration including a square base region 66.Wall regions 68 depend from the base region, and are transverselydisposed hereto. While the base region 66 is of a slightly convexconfiguration, FIG. 6, the wall regions 68 are substantially planar inshape and each includes a central region 70. Adjacent wall regions 68are perpendicularly disposed to each other due to the squareconfiguration of the lens. As apparent in FIGS. 6, 7, 8 and 9, each ofthe wall regions terminates in an outwardly extending lip 72. Each lip72 includes end regions 74 and a central region 76.

The dimension between the intersection of the opposed wall regions 68,and their associated lip 72, is only slightly less than the dimensionseparating the inwardly disposed edges 78 of the body member portions18, FIG. 6, and the extension of the lips 72 from the associated wallregion 68 is such that the central region of two of the opposed lips,FIG. 6, will be well received within the retainer grooves 20. Due to theoverlapping of the portions 18 over the lips 72, it will be appreciatedthat the lenses 64 will be firmly locked to the body member 10. Thoselips 72 which are not disposed under the portions 18, Le, aretransversely disposed to the length of the body member 10, will eitherrest upon an end cap ledge 48, FIG. 7, or be in an overlappingrelationship with a lip of the adjacent lens, FIG. 2. Thus, the assemblybetween the lenses 64 and the body member 10 and end caps 44 willproduce an attractive appearance as apparent in FIG. 1.

To remove a lens 64 from the body member grooves 20 those wall regions68 having lips disposed under the portions 18 are manually deflectedinwardly or toward each other as shown inFlG. 9. The central regions 70of these wall regions are grasped with the fingers and may be manuallydeformed as illustrated against the resiliency of the lens material.However, such manual deformation of the central portion of the wallregions will not produce an inward movement of end regions 74 of thelips associated with the grooves 20 due to the fact that the manualforces in the deformed wall regions would be substantially parallel tothe plane of adjacent wall regions. Thus, to permit the desireddisassembly those lips 72 which associate with the retainer groove 20are notched at 80, FIGS. 8 and 9, at the end regions 74 in such a mannerthat the notch edge 82 is substantially in alignment with theoverlapping portion inner edge 78, and is thus not received within theretainer groove 20. This clearance provided at the end regions 74 ofthelips 72 permits the deformation shown in FIG. 9 to remove all of theassociated lip 72 from the retainer groove 20, and thereby permitremoval of the lens from the body member. Thus, the portion of the lips72 associated with the grooves 20 constitutes the central region 76 ofthe lips.

The degree of deformation shown in FIG. 9 permits the lenses 64 to bereadily disassembled from the body member, or permits the lens to bereadily inserted into the retainer grooves 20. No tools are required,and the manual force required to producethe illustrated deformation iswithin the capability of a normal adult.

It will be appreciated that if only a single lens light fixture is to beconstructed, the length of the extruded body member 10 will besubstantially that of the squared dimension of the lens 64; if twolenses are to be employed, as illustrated, the body member length willbe slightly less than twice that of the lens dimension due to theoverlapping of lips 72. Likewise, a three lens fixture will have a bodymember slightly less than three times greater than the lens dimension.As the lips 72 of the adjacent lenses overlap, there will be no crackthrough which light may pass from the fixture around the lenses, andregardless of the length of the fixture, an attractive appearance willresult.

Usually, the light fixture of the invention is used with the 12 voltlighting circuit of the recreational vehicle or watercraft. However, itwill be appreciated that the fixture could also be used with highintensity I10 volt lamps, or of other capacities.

Due to the fact that the body member 10 is an extrusion its cost is mostreasonable, and as it is merely a cess having ends and lateral edgesincluding overlapping portions, said body member including a recessedcentral regionintermediate said lateral edges, a longitudinallyextending lens retaining groove defined in said body member adjacenteach lateral edge by said overlapping portions and extending the lengthof said body member, said grooves each having an opening exmatter ofcutting the extrusion to the proper length, the

adaptation to the desired length fixture requires no special equipmentor apparatus. The same end caps are used with the different lengths ofthe light fixture, and

the prime modification required between different tending toward saidcentral region, longitudinally extending base elements formed on saidbody member defining fixture support surfaces, a lamp mounted on saidbody member recessed central region, an end cap mounted on each end ofsaid body member having a width and height substantially correspondingto the width and height of said body member, a rectangular lighttransmitting lens mounted on said body member extending over said lampand formed of a sheet material manually bendable upon applying manualforces thereto in a direction transverse to the plane of the ma terialand resistant to manual bending upon applying forces in a directionsubstantially parallel to the plane of the material, said lens being ofa dished configuration including a rectangular central base region, fourplanar peripheral wall regions depending from said base regiontransversely disposed to said base region and substantiallyperpendicularly disposed to the adjacent wall regions, and a peripherallip outwardly extending from at least two of said wall regions locatedon opposite sides of said base region and spaced from said base region,said lips each including an outer edge, a central region and endregions, said lips on opposite sides of said base region being parallelto each other constituting lateral lips extending in the longitudinaldirection of said body member and the spacing between the outer edges ofsaid lateral lips central regions beinggreater than the spacing betweensaid body member overlapping portions whereby said lateral lips centralregions are received within said lens retaining grooves, said laterallips end regions being of reduced width with respect to the associatedlip central region whereby said reduced width end regions are removedfrom said grooves and the length of the wall regions disposedtransversely of the body member length are defined by the reduced widthof said lateral lips end regions and is no greater than the spacingbetween said overlapping portions, manual deformation of said laterallips and their associated wall regions toward each other removing saidcentral regions within said grooves from said grooves for releasing saidlens from said body member.

2. In a light fixture as in claim 1 wherein said two wall region lipsend regions are notched to define reduced widths at said end regions.

3. In a light fixture as in claim 1 wherein a peripheral outwardlyextending lip is defined on each of said transverse wall regions, aplurality of identical light transmitting lens mounted on said bodymember, a plurality of lamps mounted on said body member, a lamp beingassociated with each lens, said body member being of a length slightlyless than a multiple of the dimension separating the outer edges of saidtransverse wall regions lips, the adjacent transverse lips of adjacentlenses overlapping.

1. A light fixture characterized by its economy of construction, ease ofassembly and maintenance and attractive appearance comprising, incombination, an elongated body member formed by an extrusion processhaving ends and lateral edges including overlapping portions, said bodymember including a recessed central region intermediate said lateraledges, a longitudinally extending lens retaining groove defined in saidbody member adjacent each lateral edge by said overlapping portions andextending the length of said body member, said grooves each having anopening extending toward said central region, longitudinally extendingbase elements formed on said body member defining fixture supportsurfaces, a lamp mounted on said body member recessed central region, anend cap mounted on each end of said body member having a width andheight substantially corresponding to the width and height of said bodymember, a rectangular light transmitting lens mounted on said bodymember extending over said lamp and formed of a sheet material manuallybendable upon applying manual forces thereto in a direction transverseto the plane of the material and resistant to manual bending uponapplying forces in a direction substantially parallel to the plane ofthe material, said lens being of a dished configuration including arectangular central base region, four planar peripheral wall regionsdepending from said base region transversely disposed to said baseregion and substantially perpendicularly disposed to the adjacent wallregions, and a peripheral lip outwardly extending from at least two ofsaid wall regions located on opposite sides of said base region andspaced from said base region, said lips each including an outer edge, acentral region and end regions, said lips on opposIte sides of said baseregion being parallel to each other constituting lateral lips extendingin the longitudinal direction of said body member and the spacingbetween the outer edges of said lateral lips'' central regions beinggreater than the spacing between said body member overlapping portionswhereby said lateral lips'' central regions are received within saidlens retaining grooves, said lateral lips'' end regions being of reducedwidth with respect to the associated lip central region whereby saidreduced width end regions are removed from said grooves and the lengthof the wall regions disposed transversely of the body member length aredefined by the reduced width of said lateral lips'' end regions and isno greater than the spacing between said overlapping portions, manualdeformation of said lateral lips and their associated wall regionstoward each other removing said central regions within said grooves fromsaid grooves for releasing said lens from said body member.
 2. In alight fixture as in claim 1 wherein said two wall region lips endregions are notched to define reduced widths at said end regions.
 3. Ina light fixture as in claim 1 wherein a peripheral outwardly extendinglip is defined on each of said transverse wall regions, a plurality ofidentical light transmitting lens mounted on said body member, aplurality of lamps mounted on said body member, a lamp being associatedwith each lens, said body member being of a length slightly less than amultiple of the dimension separating the outer edges of said transversewall regions lips, the adjacent transverse lips of adjacent lensesoverlapping.